. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/ST/54 
1 December 2009 
 (09-6127) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009 Original:   English 
 
  
FIJI 
 
Statement by HE Mr Peceli Vocea
 
Permanent Representative to the WTO  
   Chairperson, I speak on behalf of my Minist er, who could not be here today, and on his 
behalf, I am pleased to highlight to the WTO Member ship Fiji's views on the role of the WTO in the 
multilateral trading system, especially in the light of the current global economic climate.  
Mr Chairman, Fiji is a small and highly vulnerable  economy.  This year alone, the worst floods on 
record caused damages up to FJ$80M, affecting our  key economic sectors.  This natural disaster 
struck Fiji just as we were trying to stabilize our economy from the effects of the global financial and 
economic crisis which had dampened demand for ou r limited exports.  Further pressure was exerted 
on our balance of payments and foreign exchange  reserves positions.  Afte r exhausting other policy 
alternatives to respond to this situation, F iji had to devalue its currency in April 2009. 
  This global economic crisis and the limited policy responses available to small vulnerable 
economies (SVEs) such as Fiji have  raised questions about the multila teral trading system.  How can 
the WTO and our multilateral trading system show innovative and flexible thinking in responding to 
the global economic crisis, whils t pursuing its primary mandate? 
  Chairperson, for Fiji it is clear that the WTO, with its rules based system, provides the 
confidence in the multilateral trading system and the protection of rules for SVEs like Fiji, to engage 
in international trade so as to achieve wi der developmental goals, such as the MDGs. 
 
 However, the challenge at the moment is to  retain confidence in the WTO in the face of 
protectionist measures that have been put in place by many Members, which run counter to the WTO's objectives and Members' commitments, that ha ve further frustrated the conclusion of trade 
negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda.  
 Chairperson, concluding the Doha Round successful ly would require the principle of less than 
full reciprocity to be app lied in the manner intended.  This is to  ensure that SVEs and least developed 
countries (LDCs) are not marginalized and are bette r able to integrate into the multilateral trading 
system (MTS).  Developmental gains made thus fa r in the Round, such as the modalities achieved for 
SVEs in the NAMA negotiations, must be consider ed stabilized.  Similarly in other areas of 
negotiations, the developmental goals of the Doha  Agenda must be adhered to for a successful 
conclusion of the Round.  In this regard, F iji strongly supports the Small Economies Work 
Programme, particularly with respect to proposals aimed at making special and differential treatment more precise, effective and opera tional.  I cannot underscore enough the importance of concluding the 
Round with these developmental aspects factored in for the continued confidence in the WTO. 
 WT/MIN(09)/ST/54 
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   Chairperson, the effectiveness of the WTO depends also on the implementation and possible 
periodic review of its existing functions.  This  includes implementing and monitoring existing 
agreements, ensuring the proper function of the Dis pute Settlement Understanding (DSU), and also in 
its monitoring role of Aid for Trade.  It is cruc ial that Aid-for-Trade programmes are mainstreamed, 
targeted at recipients' needs, and provided with additional resources.  This is crucial to ensuring that 
the market opportunities from the D DA can be translated into rea lization of market access and 
increased trade for developing countries.  The WTO' s ability to effectively address the challenges of 
climate change through its trade and environmen t mandate will also strengthen the institution. 
  In this regard, Chairperson, Fiji supports the proposal on strengthening the WTO system as 
recently put forward by India and other countries. 
  Chairperson, Fiji believes that the discussions  at this Conference will contribute to innovative 
responses to global challenges within the framework  of WTO rules.  Fiji also hopes that the 
Conference provide greater impetus on concluding the DDA as a means of achieving sustainable 
growth, in particular for the smallest and most vul nerable economies which need it to remain relevant 
in the multilateral trading system.  
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